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Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development 
of brittleness, BMW recommends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of 
the actual wear of the tires.
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: 
DOT ... 0705 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 07 of 2005.
Run-Flat Tires
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle 
with the letters RSC on the sidewall. 
Run-Flat Tires comprise a conditionally self-
supporting tire and a special rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can 
continue to be used subject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat 
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page83.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only 
by your BMW center or tire shop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this 
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety 
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use 
retreaded tires, since driving safety may be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often 
wide variations in tire age, which can result in a 
limited service life.<
Correct wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires or vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is 
available. Your BMW center will be glad to 
advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends 
that damaged Run-Flat Tires be replaced 
rather than repaired.<
BMW recommends that you use only 
wheel and tire combinations that BMW 
has tested and approved for your particular 
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and 
tires with identical official size ratings could 
actually have different dimensions, which could 
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are 
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, 
and therefore cannot guarantee their driving 
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is 
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of 
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single brand and 
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires or vice versa, only 
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the 
Tire Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect 
a puncture, refer to page84. Your BMW center 
will be glad to advise you.
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Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at 
a standstill on a level surface, or about 
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no 
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to 
Adding engine oil on page194.
4Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay.<
5The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to page196. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Display via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.3.Select "Service" and press the controller.
4.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "Service requirements" is selected and 
press the controller.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the second field from the top. Turn the con-
troller until "Engine oil level" is selected and 
press the controller. The oil level is dis-
played.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measured value available: Updating 
engine oil level measurement..."
The engine oil level is measured. This can 
take about 3 minutes if the car is at a stand-
still on a level surface and the engine is run-
ning, and about 5 minutes while the car is on 
the move.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart 
of engine oil."
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no 
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to 
Adding engine oil below.
>"Engine oil level too high"
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Socket for On-Board 
Diagnosis OBD
Primary components that make up exhaust 
emissions can be checked by a device via the 
OBD socket.
This socket is located on the driver's side to the 
left, on the bottom of the instrument panel 
underneath a cover.
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamps come on. The 
exhaust emission values have wors-
ened. Have the car checked as soon 
as possible.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps.
The lamps flash under certain condi-
tions. This indicates excessive misfiring in the 
engine. If this happens, you should reduce your 
speed and visit your nearest BMW center as 
soon as possible. Severe engine misfiring can 
quickly lead to serious damage of emissions-
related components, especially the catalytic 
converter.
The warning lamp comes on if the gas 
cap is not properly tightened and the 
OBD system assumes that fuel vapor 
is escaping. If the gas cap is then tightened, the 
warning lamp should go out within a few days.
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a 
device for recording or sending certain vehicle 
data or information. In addition, if you have signed a subscription contract for BMW Assist, 
certain vehicle data may be transmitted or 
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding 
services.
Care
Important information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure.
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the controls and displays in your vehicle. These 
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a 
concept similar to that applied in conventional 
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the 
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source 
for several hours at a time, otherwise this could 
cause irritation to the retina.<
Xenon lamps
These bulbs have a very long service life and are 
highly unlikely to fail. If a xenon lamp fails never-
theless, switch on the fog lamps and continue 
the journey with great care, provided that local 
legislation does not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system, 
including bulb replacements, performed 
only by a BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, if 
such work is carried out improperly, the high 
voltage in the system presents the danger of 
fatal injuries.<
Access to the lamps
1.Switch off the lamps and take the remote 
control out of the ignition lock.
2.Remove the upper cover from the head-
lamp. To do so, use a screwdriver to press 
the catches towards the rear, see arrows, 
and pull the cover forward and out.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to reat-
tach the cover.
Be careful when installing the cover, oth-
erwise leaks could occur and cause dam-
age to the headlamp system.<
Parking lamps and roadside parking 
lamps, daytime running light
H8 bulb, 35 watts
1.Remove the cover, refer to Access to the 
lamps.
2.Turn the bulb approx. 90°, see arrow, and 
take it out.
3.Disconnect the plug, change the bulb and 
reconnect the plug.
4.Insert the bulb and turn it until it stops.
5.Reattach the cover.
Corner-illuminating lamp*
H3 bulb, 55 watts
1.Switch off the lamps and take the remote 
control out of the ignition lock.
2.Remove the cover, refer to Access to the 
lamps.
3.Push the wire bracket out of the anchor 
towards the right and fold it up.
4.Disconnect the plug, change the bulb and 
reconnect the plug.
5.Insert the bulb.
6.Fold the wire bracket down and engage it.
7.Reattach the cover.
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Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with Run-Flat Tires as 
standard. This removes the need to change a 
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
For information on continuing to drive with a 
damaged tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire on 
page83.
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle 
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to 
Run-Flat Tires, page189.
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your 
BMW center will be glad to advise you. Refer 
also to New wheels and tires, page189.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your 
BMW center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in 
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW  center will be glad to advise in 
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump starting 
on page204.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your 
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright 
position for transport and storage. Always 
secure the battery against tipping over during 
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of 
some equipment may be limited and require 
reinitialization. Individual settings may likewise 
have been lost and will have to be programmed:
>Time and date 
These values must be updated, refer to 
page73.
>Radio 
In some cases, stations may have to be 
stored again, refer to page146.
>Navigation system 
Operability must be waited for, refer to 
page120.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page44.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to 
page103.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and 
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, oth-
erwise this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
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Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency calling*
Conditions for an emergency call:
>Full preparation package mobile phone. 
This equipment package makes it possible 
to initiate an emergency call even if no 
mobile phone is paired with the vehicle.
>BMW Assist is enabled. Enabling BMW 
Assist, refer to page175.
>Radio readiness is on.
>The car phone is logged on to a mobile tele-
phone network.
>The emergency call system is operable.
If your subscription contract with BMW Assist 
expires, the car phone can be deactivated by a 
BMW center without having to schedule an 
appointment at a workshop. Once the car 
phone has been deactivated, emergency calls 
are not possible. The car phone can be reacti-
vated by a BMW center after signing a new con-
tract.
Initiating an emergency call
1.Briefly press the cover flap to open.
2.Press the button for at least 2 seconds.
The LED in the button lights up. As soon as the 
voice connection to the BMW Assist response 
center has been established, the LED flashes.
If the circumstances allow this, remain in the 
vehicle until the connection has been estab-
lished. You will then be able to provide a 
detailed description of the situation.If the current location of your vehicle can be 
determined, it will be transmitted to the BMW 
Assist response center.
If the LED is flashing but the emergency 
response center cannot be heard over the 
hands-free system, it is possible that the 
hands-free system is malfunctioning. The 
emergency response center may still be able to 
hear you, however.
Under certain conditions, an emergency call is 
automatically initiated immediately after a 
severe accident. The automatic emergency call 
is not affected by the button being pressed.
For technical reasons, the emergency call 
cannot be guaranteed under unfavorable 
conditions.<
Roadside Assistance
The BMW Group's Roadside Assistance ser-
vice is there to assist you around the clock in 
the event of a breakdown, including on week-
ends and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the 
Contact brochure.
In vehicles equipped with BMW Assist or 
TeleService, you can establish contact with the 
BMW Group's Roadside Assistance for break-
down assistance directly via iDrive, refer to 
page177.
First aid pouch*
Some of the articles contained in the first aid 
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore, 
check the expiration dates of the contents reg-
ularly and replace any items in good time, if nec-
essary.
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Your BMW has a special nut as body ground 
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body 
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and 
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly 
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way. 
If the first start attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and 
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or 
rear of the BMW.
It is stored in the onboard tool kit underneath 
the cover on the right-hand side of the cargo 
bay, refer to page198.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid 
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift 
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow 
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page52, otherwise the low-beam 
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable. If the 
electrical system fails, do not attempt to tow-
start or tow away the car. The electric steering 
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Mobility
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank US gal/liters approx. 16.1/61 Fuel grade: page183
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8.0
Window washer system For more details: page58
including headlamp washers  US quarts/liters approx. 6.3/6.0
Engine with oil filter renewal US quarts/liters approx. 6.9/6.5 BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil
Oil grades: page194
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